After it traveled to California to get its first action of the spring season, the women's softball team returned home 5-7. While the team left for spring break with the intention of winning each game, the prime reason for the trip was a chance to play outdoors. With the snow-covered fields of Massachusetts, the Jumbos saw outdoor action for the first time this season.
"It was our first time outdoors, it was our first time seeing ground balls on the dirt and that's one of the things that California was for," senior co-captain Nikki Blotner said. "We really needed to go out and get some experience as a team."
And after scoring over five runs in four of their five victories, coach Kris Herman and teammates alike were pleased with the offensive talent displayed along their trip.
"We have a strong offensive team there's no question about that," Herman said.
With a number of power hitters rounding out the Jumbos lineup, the ability to get clutch hits for a victory will be a strong point for this team. As displayed during the Jumbos trials, this clutch hitting will be necessary for the team to achieve success. This was made even more evident by Tufts' problems defensively.
"The jury is still out on the pitchers as individuals and as a staff," Herman said.
With forearm injuries to sophomore pitcher Caroline Grieco and freshman pitcher Julia Brenta, along with a need for junior Maggie McClory to help in the outfield, the Jumbos were left to rely on freshman Sarah Conroy to pitch more games than originally expected.
With the team's most experienced pitcher in Grieco and Brenta out for many of the games, the team was left with minimal pitching options during a trip that consisted of daily double headers.
Though the staff is expected to be healthy for the rest of the season, Herman is slightly concerned with the pitchers' inability to benefit from the practice time.
Along with lack of pitching, the Jumbos also suffered from several defensive laps that hurt the pitchers as well. With 20 errors within the teams 12 games, Herman knows that the defense will need to improve its skills if the Jumbos plan on being successful.
"There aren't any excuses we just didn't get the job done," Herman said.
Yet, teammates and the coach alike are sure that many of these lapses were due to the team's early season lack of live experience. Once these kinks are worked out though, the team should be able to compete with any opponent.
"If we play strong defense we will win a lot of games," Herman said.
The defense should work itself out soon considering that the Jumbos lineup is fairly set, allowing for position players to focus on their abilities.
"We have a lot of position players, we have a good sense of who is going to play what position. We can focus in on being really strong at what we're doing," Blotner said.
With the Jumbos strong offensive hitters, the team will not need stellar pitching. As long as the team plays a solid game, the hitters should be able to carry it to victory for most of the season.
After playing so many games in California, the team is now excited to begin regular practices along with its NESCAC schedule. The Jumbos first opponent will be a double-header this Wednesday at home against Springfield starting at 2:30.
The Jumbos are ranked seventh in the New England Intercollegiate Softball Coaches Association (NEISCA) preseason poll. Springfield, ranked eighth in the same poll brings with it some of New England's strongest hitters and a strong returning core. Even with this difficult match-up, the Jumbos are still confident that a win is within their reaches.
More from The Tufts Daily
